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Harry Werner Sommer
May 10, 1927 ~ June 24, 2016
Harry Werner (Van) Sommer was born in San Pedro, California on May 10, 1927 to parents Otto and Dora. He graduated from Torrance High School in 1945, and then served our country in the Navy from March, 1946 until January, 1948. He attended UCLA (where he met his future wife Susan Elliott), and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952. A year later Van and Sue were married. He worked at Shell Oil Company in Wilmington for ten years, then moved from Los Alamitos to Brea in 1963 and went to work for Hunt-Wesson, until he retired in 1989. He married Merle Clark in 1976, and after a few years living in Anaheim they moved to The Colony in Murrieta, California. He was an avid golfer and served as Men’s Club President. Van truly loved his family. He took them camping and on vacations, and was active in Little League, Indian Guides, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts; he was there to comfort, protect, provide, and tuck his kids in bed. He is survived by his three children, Steve, Dave, and Sally, their spouses, and eight grandchildren. Van was a father to emulate, a kind and generous friend to many, and a joy to be around. He will be forever missed.
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Grandpa Van was a strong and loving man. I am so lucky to get to call him my grandfather. I am going to miss him so much, but am comforted by knowing how full his life was and how many people have loved him in his 89 years. He will live on in all of our hearts.
I find it hard to leave a condolence, not because I don’t know what to say, but because there is so much to say. How do you possibly put into a few words how much someone has meant to you over the past 34 years? I loved Van. I was so lucky to have him as my father-in-law, and as grandpa to our children. Happy, upbeat, and a smile on his face, he was always a joy to be with. A great conversationalist, Van was very interesting to listen to, and was always genuinely interested in what you had to say. He was willing to share his wisdom and advice, but was never pushy in how it was presented. Van, I love you. Thank you for everything. Your wish for me and for all of us was to live a wonderful life. We had that with you. And though it won’t be the same without you, we will continue to live a wonderful life, and, in your memory, strive to make all of our Hours Happy. Love, Diane
Please accept my condolences during this difficult time. May you find comfort in Jehovah God’s promise of a resurrection here on earth in the near future. He will repair all wrongdoing to mankind. Isaiah 25:8 and Revelation 21:4,5
So glad my son married Van’s granddaughter, Amy, which gave me the opportunity to meet and be in the presence of Van on so many family celebrations over the years. Van was a “class act”, funny, sincere, full of life, and such a wonderful man and you could see the love he had for his family. My deepest sympathy to all of the Sommer Family. God Bless You…
They say we all die alone; but some people die in the arms of loved ones. If you leave this world with Absolute Faith in our Savior, our Lord, our God, then you are received into a Kingdom like no other. And the legacy you leave, in the hearts of those you love, of those who loved you, will live on. Vaya con Dios Van. You are loved!! 4-Ever in Faith
Van will always hold a special place in my heart. I will remember his upbeat and fun loving attitude when we borrowed “Van’s Van” on vacation, to watching him dance at family gatherings, but most of all, because he made me feel special when I saw him. I am so blessed to have known him.
When I think of Van I see that beautiful smile, and him holding a tray of shrimp appetizers. I feel blessed to have known him. He’s left a mark on everyone that knew him. He was a loving father, grandfather and friend to so many, he will be missed.